When I was at AWAC, I had a captain (DCA LEC Chairman at the time) refuse an airplane that didn't have an autopilot OR either flight director. We were going to keep the airplane for 3 legs, all about 1.5 in length, all up and down the east coast (DCA-CHS-DCA-PWM, if I recall correctly).

Captain refused the airplane based on safety, saying he didn't think it was safe or prudent to fly an airplane in that congested airspace. As much as AWAC harped on use of automation even then, we both though it was a pilot deviation waiting to happen.

CP got on the horn and told him the MEL was legal and a true professional pilot shouldn't have any problem doing it. The CA told the Chief Pilot if it was so safe then he could bring himself down from Appleton and fly the plane his damn self.

They changed the MELs on the plane so we got the copilot FD back...so I got to hand-fly all 3 legs, all flown at FL270/280.

It wasn't hard, but it wasn't easy and was definitely fatiguing due to the increased concentration involved beyond normal ops with a working AP. I don't think I was ever as tired as I was when we blocked in for the RON that day.